Boston homebuyers faced higher prices, lower inventory in September

Boston, Massachusetts homebuyers expecting to catch a break last month encountered a tighter-than-usual September housing market, reflecting nationwide trends in pricing and inventory.

The median listing price for the month was up 16.4% to $677,000 year-over-year in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.-N.H. metro area, according to realtor.com’s September Monthly Housing Trends Report. Active listings were down 33.4% from the same period last year, while new listings dropped by 3.3%. Homes in the Boston area spent a median 34 days on the market, down from 52 in September 2019.

Homebuyers in all 50 of the nation’s largest markets encountered similar situations. September typically brings increased inventory and lower prices. This year, buyers encountered a 21% decrease in listings from the beginning of 2020, along with a 17% price increase to about $20,000 more than anticipated. “Many buyers tend to put their home search on hold after the start of the school year, but remote learning and the desire for more space continued to fuel buyer interest in September,” Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com, said in a press release.

“Unseasonably high buyer interest coupled with historically low inventory and favorable mortgage rates are creating a perfect storm in the housing market. While this is good news for anyone looking to sell their home, it has created tremendous competition among buyers.” The number of people looking for homes has grown, too. There were 25% more buyers on the market in September than at the beginning of the year. In a typical September, that number increases by 7%.

Nationally, the typical home sold in 54 days in September, three days faster than in August and 12 days faster than over the same period last year. It was the first time since 2016 that homes sold faster in September than in August.

In the northeast, homes sold 13 days faster than in September 2019. Sales occurred 11 days faster in the south, nine days faster in the Midwest and seven days faster in the west.

The post Boston homebuyers faced higher prices, lower inventory in September appeared first on Boston Agent Magazine.

Selecting the Right Homebuyer's agent

Unlike most other real estate agents, a MABA home buyer's broker never represents both a buyer and seller in the same transaction so you never have to worry whether a MABA agent is really looking out for your best financial interests. A MABA buyer's agent acts as your advocate, real estate educator, advisor and negotiator, always loyal to you and dedicated to helping you find and buy the best home with the best terms at the price and showing you which homes to avoid along the way.

Fewer than one percent of the agents and brokers in Massachusetts meet our high standards. 

Whether you are ready to buy now or just beginning your home buying journey, click here to choose a Great Buyer's Agent to answer all of your home buying questions!